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Pamela Margaret Beer
May 10, 1952 — May 30, 2026
Bountiful, UT
Pamela Margaret Beer lived by the famous words from the movie, Auntie Mame: "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." In life, Pam wasn’t just a guest, she planned the party, wore the best outfit, and arrived fashionably late with amazing stories to tell.
Pam was born on May 10, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Leslie Wilford James Beer and June Fairclough Beer. Throughout her vibrant life, she built deep relationships, lived adventurously, and met every challenge with fierce determination.
After graduating from the University of Utah, Pam worked on a congressional campaign. This led her to Washington, D.C., where she lived for nearly 50 years. She worked on Capitol Hill for several members of Congress before becoming a lobbyist for the Mail Handlers Labor Union. Pam had a passion for road safety and spent nearly four decades in various roles helping save lives by developing training manuals, education programs and state safety plans. She was the Executive Director of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) educating youth about the dangers of drinking and driving. She went on to establish her own consulting firm and concluded her career as a traffic consultant for Cambridge Systematics.
Pam loved to travel. She visited 49 states, explored amazing places throughout the world, including the pyramids of Egypt, and even took her mother on a memorable tour of famous opera houses across Europe. She particularly loved Paris, visiting multiple times with friends and family. She was also a fantastic tour guide for family and friends visiting her on the East Coast.
Pam loved a good celebration and never lost her “inner child.” In her younger years, she was affectionately known as "Disco Mama." She loved dressing up, wearing beautiful jewelry, and painting her nails, typically a shade of her favorite color - pink. She brought that same theatrical flair to Halloween, becoming the highlight of neighborhood trick-or-treating. Every year, she would dress up as “Madame Verushka” the fortune teller who astounded the local kids with personalized "fortunes” secretly coordinated with their parents. Believing that milestone birthdays demanded memorable activities, she spent her 60th birthday having dinner in Paris and celebrated her 65th birthday skydiving.
For all her accomplishments and adventures, nothing mattered more to Pam than “her people” and her canine companions, Jake, Alta and Gracie. Though she never married or had children of her own, she was loved by so many. Her friendships ran deep, and many of her dear friends became family to her. Her beloved “posse” shared countless adventures and stood by one another through every season of life.
Later in life, Pam became a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was able to go through the temple for herself and enjoyed doing temple work for others.
Pam passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026. She leaves behind a large, loving circle of family and friends forever changed by her strength, generosity, and zest for life. In her honor, remember that life is a banquet, so wear something fabulous (preferably pink), say yes to adventure, and welcome new friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the backyard of her brother’s home at 365 East 100 South, Centerville, Utah. For those who are unable to attend, a link for streaming the service will be provided.
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Suzanne Volmar (Riches)
Pam was one of the most generous spirits I have ever known. We were very good friends at Centerville Elementary where I attended first through third grade. I remember playing with her at recess. She would always kindly give up a swing for you or stand at the bottom of the slide to catch you if you needed a hand. She was full of fun! After I moved to the new J.A. Taylor Elementary in Centerville, we lost track of each other but became great friends again in high school.
Pam was always so full of interesting ideas and knew how to plan adventures. She also seemed to know what great novels to read—many classics. I think her mother was well read and taught Pam to read many of the best books. At any rate, I benefited from these selections. I can also remember watching PBS Masterpiece Theater at her house.
Pam was a fine writer and promoter. In our last year or two of high school, she was the Davis County Clipper representative for our school. As events came at Viewmont High School, she continually pulled me out of class for a goofy photo to put in the Clipper. I wore a Bonnie and Clyde fur coat for some dance we were having, rode a tricycle for our fall senior dance and she arranged for several of us to have our pictures taken by the Clipper at Mueller’s Park as we “shot the tube” through a huge water pipe. She was the one who wrote Clipper stories about plays and musicals we were performing at Viewmont High. The Clipper always came out and took plenty of pictures! I think I became semi-famous in the Clipper--quite funny, since all I really did was pose for Pam! The thing about Pam was she never put herself in any of those pictures. She was always behind the scenes making her friends feel important, praising everything we accomplished.
As we moved on to the University of Utah, I ran into Pam sometimes on campus and we had lunch on a few occasions. But we largely lost track of each other. I did call her once when I traveled to Washington D.C. from Illinois while spending time in grad school. We talked on the phone but didn’t have time to meet. I kept wishing I could find her as the years passed. I was thrilled to see her at the last high school reunion. I got her phone number and promised to call. I did text a time or two and noticed that she had moved into a very nice assisted living center in Bountiful. I told her I would love to drop by and see her, and though it was on my list, I never got that done. I have been so sad that I let that chance go by. Pam was one of the best conversationalists I have ever met! She was full of great stories and always made you feel like a “million bucks.” She was a wonderful friend to many—she possessed a rare generosity, kindness and an always joyful spirit! I will miss her.
Diane Cole
Pam had a lot of class. She worked briefly at The Tribune when I was there, and she made a lasting impression on just about everyone, including my editor and my husband. She was sharp, clever, funny and kind. On a visit to D.C., it was obvious to me that she was widely respected. She was a gem who lived a good life. May she rest in peace.
Diane Cole
Dot Lofstrom
Pam and I were in-school friends. We liked and admired each other and found much in common. I am saddened to hear of her passing but delighted to read of her fully-lived life. She and I were both worried that we might not "live up to,our potential" and she so clearly did.